first time and going at it alone...

[Vapor107]

:souka: I'm planing on taking a trip to japan in august (10th-17th) from EWR to TYO, and i have to go it alone, mainly because my friends can't afford no tickets. (cheap bastards!!!) kinda nervous simply because I've never gone out side of the country before, let alone by myself. this is kinds gonna be a vaca for me. but that's sides the point, i just wanted to know a couple of things, so if any of you guys can help me out that would be "mad coo".

1. For a weeks stay and round trip tickets it's 1700, is that a fair price or should i just keep looking, if so any suggestions on where to look?

2. Is it okay to go alone, not just for safety reason but just companion wise?

3.Is it hard to get around Tokyo, whats the likelihood of me getting lost?

4. how big is the language barrier there, am i gonna have trouble asking where the bathroom is or any other place from the locals? (I only know English and Spanish, so i figured i am SO screwed when i get over there.)

5. How much more is my dollar worth over there?

6.Can anybody recommend any awesome clubs over there?...And/or museums and stuff?

7. Will...I...be...mugged? (or "Jacked" as it were)

8. What's a good (aka cheap but not so cheap) way to get around, taxi, rail card, stay on foot, flying machine, etc...?

I thinks that's it for now, if your still with me a reading this and are able to answer any of these questions i would be extremely grateful. also if you have any other suggestions about going, please let me know, i definitely what to know what you guys think. Thanx again. :-)

[CorDarei]

1. For a weeks stay and round trip tickets it's 1700, is that a fair price or should i just keep looking, if so any suggestions on where to look?
Does it include a hotel? If so, it's probably reasonable, although I haven't looked up prices for August recently. My trip a few weeks ago cost me $996 for tickets from Atlanta to KIX; no hotel because I stayed with friends.

2. Is it okay to go alone, not just for safety reason but just companion wise?
Yes. Any elaboration depends on whether you know Japanese or not.

3.Is it hard to get around Tokyo, whats the likelihood of me getting lost?
The subway system can be difficult to navigate, but from what I remember from my one trip a few years ago the Yamanote line is fairly easy to use.

4. how big is the language barrier there, am i gonna have trouble asking where the bathroom is or any other place from the locals? (I only know English and Spanish, so i figured i am SO screwed when i get over there.)
There's #2 again. In Tokyo it won't be so bad because more of the signs and things are bilingual, and if you try talking to enough people you'll eventually find someone you can communicate with in English. If you can find info on places where foreigners tend to gather, you could hook up with other English-speakers who are doing something you think sounds fun.

5. How much more is my dollar worth over there?
I always take 100yen=$1 and keep in mind that it'll be less than that. Last I looked the actual rate was around 114=$1, but it varies.

6.Can anybody recommend any awesome clubs over there?...And/or museums and stuff?
I'll leave this to someone else.

7. Will...I...be...mugged? (or "Jacked" as it were)
Almost certainly not. Maybe someone more familiar with Tokyo can clue you in if there are any areas to avoid, though. Your chances of having anything stolen in Japan are magnitudes less than in the US, except possibly for bicycles.

8. What's a good (aka cheap but not so cheap) way to get around, taxi, rail card, stay on foot, flying machine, etc...?
If you're just staying in Tokyo, trains and the subways are probably you're best option (also walking). Generally you can buy prepaid cards at rail stations that make it a lot more convenient

[ArmandV]

Get yourself some free maps from JNTO, including subway maps. I've gone to Japan alone and had no problems.

I am heading there again a day after tomorrow.

[MeAndroo]

CorDarei basically said what I would say except for:

6.Can anybody recommend any awesome clubs over there?...And/or museums and stuff?

We ended up at places like Harlem in Shibuya a lot. Hip hop spots mainly, but beware of knuckleheads who think thug lifestyles are fun to try to replicate. Other than that, I've been to an industrial club in Shinjuku, but the name escapes me, various reggae spots, and the standard Roppongi places for all-night drinking surrounded by sometimes shady foreigners. It depends on what kind of club you're looking for.

The museum that had the most impact on me was the H-bomb memorial and museum in Hiroshima...but that's a bit of a ways away from Tokyo.

[epigene]

If you're into Japanese history, culture and art, the best showcase may be the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno:
http://www.tnm.jp/en/servlet/Con?pageId=X00&processId=00

The new art museum is currently talk of the town:
http://www.nact.jp/english/index.html

Enjoy your stay! :wave:

[Vapor107]

coo, thanks guys. I'm wanna find some industrial, rock, techno places. but i actually would love to see the h-bomb memorial even if it's a ways away from tokyo.

[maushan3]

Hi there, let me be of some help, even though I've never been to Japan. I've done some research myself and asked some Japanese people, so I could answer some of your questions since I am going for a year in August.

1. I think that's a pretty decent price if it includes hotel for a week. Who knows, shop around and you might get a better rate online.

2. It would be tight to have a friend around, but the good thing of going alone is that you could always do whatever you please and not complain or fight about what y'all could do together. For example you might want to go to Shibuya or Shinjuku and whatnot but your friend wants to go to Meiji Shrine.

3. I heard the metro system is way good, so, pick a map and study the system, it is not hard.

4. Many people know little English, so I'd study some basic phrases or things before I leave.

5. Check www.japantimes.com

6. Check online, you could as well ask some experts in this area like ghettocities, haha.

7. Chances are, you will not be mugged anywhere in Japan.

8. Don't really know. I think a metro pre-paid card, right?

Hope it helps.

Mauricio

[Glenski]

There is no "H-bomb" museum. Get your history straight. It's the A-bomb museum, and there are two: Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Yes, they are quite a ways from Tokyo, too.

You have not answered the question above about your $1700. Is that what you have been quoted for airfare, or airfare and hotel for the whole week, or is that simply how much you have saved up?

2. Is it okay to go alone, not just for safety reason but just companion wise?
Generally speaking, it's pretty safe here.

3.Is it hard to get around Tokyo, whats the likelihood of me getting lost?
Tokyo has a good bilingual train and subway system. If you are not familiar with trains or subways, you won't like it. Even the color-coded maps from the Information Centers may not help the totally uninitiated, but they are very useful.

4. how big is the language barrier there, am i gonna have trouble asking where the bathroom is or any other place from the locals? (I only know English and Spanish, so i figured i am SO screwed when i get over there.)
People study 6 years of English in high school, but they graduate with bare bones ability to speak it because they are not given the chance much. Expect a lot of broken language, but with some sign language, written notes, bravery, and a bit of slow clear talking, you will get by.

5. How much more is my dollar worth over there?
Look at the exchange rate in the newspaper or Internet. It changes hourly.

6.Can anybody recommend any awesome clubs over there?...And/or museums and stuff?
Sorry, I can't. Look at www.japantimes.com and see what they have at the bottom of the site.

7. Will...I...be...mugged? (or "Jacked" as it were)
Not likely, but it's always best to play it safe.

8. What's a good (aka cheap but not so cheap) way to get around, taxi, rail card, stay on foot, flying machine, etc...?
See above: trains and subways in Tokyo. If you plan to travel between cities, consider the Japan Rail Pass (look it up on the web site).

[Dutch Baka]

my 2yen: This website also has a practical section and a large section about what and how in Tokyo have a look at this link:

http://www.jref.com/practical/tokyo.shtml

[omEigaMan]

:souka: 3.Is it hard to get around Tokyo, whats the likelihood of me getting lost?

I would say the likelihood of you getting lost is pretty high BUT, that's half the fun! You never know what you'll find and where you'll end up or who you'll meet. And chances are you won't get so lost you can't find your way back in a reasonable length of time.

Here's a tip: Have someone at your hotel write the Hotel's name on a piece of paper (in Japanese). The address probably wouldn't hurt, either, though the numbering system in Japan isn't as much of a help as you'd think. Anyway, if you get lost, just show someone on the street the piece of paper and they will probably get you going in the right direction.

When all else fails, look for the green Yamanote-line train. It makes a circle around the city.

The A-Bomb museum in Hiroshima is an amazing experience. Not exactly uplifting, but very moving and important. If you have the time and are headed that direction, I would recommend it. I don't know that I'd make a special trip from Tokyo to Hiroshima just to see it, esp. if your time is limited.

Also, keep in mind that Japan isn't just museums and clubs. Castles, Temples and Zen gardens are fantastic. Nikko isn't far out of Tokyo and it's supposed to be great (try to go during the week when crowds are not so big). I haven't been there yet, but I've been to Kyoto twice - you definitely want to check out some Temples and Castles somewhere during your week stay.

Final bit, as far as getting around, train and walking is the way to go. Check other posts on this site about the rail pass. You can't buy it once you're in Japan. You have to buy it before you leave. If you are going to go beyond Tokyo at all it would probably be well worth the money. You can ride any JR Train, including the one from the airport to your part of Tokyo, just by flashing the pass - no need to try to figure out how much your ticket should be and buying it from the machine, etc. (not that the machine is that complicated but getting hit with so much new stuff all at once can be daunting).

PS: Leave the final "t" off the word Toilet (toile) and add a "u" to the word Beer (beeru) and you're good to go!

[cruets]

hey i'm going to tokyo for the first time in august (2nd-14th) like you. cheap friends also, so going alone.

lets see to answer some of your question

1. For a weeks stay and round trip tickets it's 1700, is that a fair price or should i just keep looking, if so any suggestions on where to look?
--for me its costing about $950 ish for airline ticket through iace and i found a cheap hotel between shibuya and harajuku for like 7900 yen($749 for 12 nights total) a night through rakuten. so i think if you look for airline tickets through japanese travel agencies like iace, jalpak or jtb you can get ok deal on airfare and budget accommodations that could make yoiur trip last longer than just a week.

2. Is it okay to go alone, not just for safety reason but just companion wise?
--no clue but seems safe from all i read. part of the fun^^. gotta be safe than new jersey right?

3.Is it hard to get around Tokyo, whats the likelihood of me getting lost?
--subway signs are in english also

4. how big is the language barrier there, am i gonna have trouble asking where the bathroom is or any other place from the locals? (I only know English and Spanish, so i figured i am SO screwed when i get over there.)
--we're screwed^^, but hey, japanese come to america and cant speak english, i'm sure we'll be ok in japan

5. How much more is my dollar worth over there?
--currently $1 = 120.00yen check xe for fluctuating prices

6.Can anybody recommend any awesome clubs over there?...And/or museums and stuff?
--i want to do lots of clubbing while i'm there also thats why i made sure i got 2 weeken stays^^also why i picked shibuya as my base. lets see, ageha in shinkiba, busses leaving from shibuya every hr i think on sat. lots big name djs. i think womb where chemical brothers just played last week is in shibuya, and other big clubs like club asia and stuff there. then you also got live houses to check out local bands liek club quattro, shibuya box, o-east and stuff. check tokyogigguidedotcome

7. Will...I...be...mugged? (or "Jacked" as it were)
--i doubt it

8. What's a good (aka cheap but not so cheap) way to get around, taxi, rail card, stay on foot, flying machine, etc...?
--rail + foot. everyone walks in tokyo

I thinks that's it for now, if your still with me a reading this and are able to answer any of these questions i would be extremely grateful. also if you have any other suggestions about going, please let me know, i definitely what to know what you guys think. Thanx again.


---as for me i'm headed to summersonic 2007^^. good luck dude

[ArmandV]

hey i'm going to tokyo for the first time in august (2nd-14th) like you. cheap friends also, so going alone.
lets see to answer some of your question
1. For a weeks stay and round trip tickets it's 1700, is that a fair price or should i just keep looking, if so any suggestions on where to look?
--for me its costing about $950 ish for airline ticket through iace and i found a cheap hotel between shibuya and harajuku for like 7900 yen($749 for 12 nights total) a night through rakuten. so i think if you look for airline tickets through japanese travel agencies like iace, jalpak or jtb you can get ok deal on airfare and budget accommodations that could make yoiur trip last longer than just a week.
2. Is it okay to go alone, not just for safety reason but just companion wise?
--no clue but seems safe from all i read. part of the fun^^. gotta be safe than new jersey right?
3.Is it hard to get around Tokyo, whats the likelihood of me getting lost?
--subway signs are in english also
4. how big is the language barrier there, am i gonna have trouble asking where the bathroom is or any other place from the locals? (I only know English and Spanish, so i figured i am SO screwed when i get over there.)
--we're screwed^^, but hey, japanese come to america and cant speak english, i'm sure we'll be ok in japan
5. How much more is my dollar worth over there?
--currently $1 = 120.00yen check xe for fluctuating prices
6.Can anybody recommend any awesome clubs over there?...And/or museums and stuff?
--i want to do lots of clubbing while i'm there also thats why i made sure i got 2 weeken stays^^also why i picked shibuya as my base. lets see, ageha in shinkiba, busses leaving from shibuya every hr i think on sat. lots big name djs. i think womb where chemical brothers just played last week is in shibuya, and other big clubs like club asia and stuff there. then you also got live houses to check out local bands liek club quattro, shibuya box, o-east and stuff. check tokyogigguidedotcome
7. Will...I...be...mugged? (or "Jacked" as it were)
--i doubt it
8. What's a good (aka cheap but not so cheap) way to get around, taxi, rail card, stay on foot, flying machine, etc...?
--rail + foot. everyone walks in tokyo
I thinks that's it for now, if your still with me a reading this and are able to answer any of these questions i would be extremely grateful. also if you have any other suggestions about going, please let me know, i definitely what to know what you guys think. Thanx again.
---as for me i'm headed to summersonic 2007^^. good luck dude

1. Are you staying a week or 13 days? You mentioned 12 nights. It would be cheaper to stay at a ryokan for about 5,000-5,500 yen/night. Try the Welcome Inns at http://itcj.or.jp .

2. Yes, Tokyo is pretty safe, but use common sense.

3. Contact JNTO and get maps of Tokyo and Japan for free. The Tokyo map is essential for getting around Tokyo. At the subway station, ask for a Tokyo Metro Guide for the subway lines. It is very useful, easy to read and free.

4. You'll have no problem. Most signs at train stations and hotels are bilingual and they have easy signs for restrooms.

5. Find out the current exchange rate and shave off about 2 yen per dollar on the exchange rate. If it says 118 yen/dollar, figure it will be around 160 yen/dollar for you.

6. Can't help you on clubs.

7. "Not likely" is the response about getting mugged. But use common sense.

8. The subways are relatively cheap. They are roughly 160-190 yen per ride.

Contact JNTO for maps, directories of hotels, etc. at http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/

Have fun in Japan!:-)